Women's Scholarshop fundraiser proves a big success

A perfect combination of glorious weather, beautiful countryside and great company, ensured that May’s fundraiser organised by the Saddleworth Palestine Women’s Scholarship Fund was a great success.

Organisers of the Miles In May fundraising event were delighted to raise over £2,000 to fund 62 Palestinian young women, 55 from Gaza and seven from the West Bank, to study a wide range of degrees in universities across Palestine. 

Thirty funding supporters joined together to complete a five mile walk along the canal towpath and bridleway from Greenfield to Mossley.

The walk ended at Freizland Church Hall where more supporters gathered for a fundraising tea and talk.

Four of the group’s organisers had recently returned from a ten day trip to the West Bank in Palestine.

They told an attentive audience about their experiences in Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Sebastia and Hebron where they witnessed the daily struggles faced by the Palestinian people.

On the tour they were delighted to meet two of the Scholarship Fund’s West Bank co-ordinators and one of the students, Dalya, who is studying psychology with music and also volunteers as an organiser of community-based activities for young women.

Catherine Holland from Saddleworth PWSF described meeting Dalya as a privilege.

"Her passion for education and empowering young women is inspiring," said Catherine.

"Our experience in Palestine made me realise that injustice is happening to the Palestinian people on so many levels, in every area of their lives including education.

"The work we are doing in the Scholarship Fund seems so small, but it is so important.

"It enhances their lives and everyone around them."

Jacqui Greenfield, Treasurer of Saddleworth PWSF, said: "We raise money at these events largely through donations.   

"People were very moved by the heartfelt presentations and gave very generously."

For anyone wishing to still donate you can still do do here and here

For more information about the Scholarship Fund, email: saddleworth.pwsf@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page.

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